Rogue Freedom bar vs Westside power bar
This is a comparison of the Rogue Freedom bar and the Westside power bar including pros, cons, and alternatives. Follow the links for more details
Review and Overview of the Rogue Westside Power bar
This overview of the Westside bar was originally published in my comprehensive guide on which Rogue barbell to buy. If you are currently considering to buy a Rogue barbell it is worth a read to get input on the latest models. I update the guide on a yearly basis depending on Rogue's new releases.
Price 345$
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Overview of the westside power bar
The
Westside bar has been developed together with Louie Simmons which is not too far from his own gym. The
Westside barbell training facility is world famous for continuously producing some of the strongest powerlifters in the US and on an international level. The Westside method is a staple for strength coaches. The method is especially well tailored to lifters who compete with bench press shirts and squat and deadlifting suits.
The westside barbell weighs in at 45lb with a diameter of 29mm. It can withstand 205K PSI tensile strength and connects the sleeves to the shaft via bushing.
Rogue offers a black zinc finish on shaft and coating. The knurling is powerlifting and the
bar has no whip. The loadable sleeve length is 16.25. There is no 20kg version available.
Westside bar pros
Westside bar cons
The black zinc finish is more open to corrosion than other finishes from
Rogue. It is also a powerlifting specific
bar and you might also have to buy an
Ohio deadlift bar to complete the set. Depending on your need the
Matt Chan bar retails at just a slightly higher price, has the same tensile strength and has a better whip. It all depends on your goals. If you want to do more than powerlifting this
bar is not ideal. If your main focus is the big three go for this one.
Conclusion
The westside bar is a great option when you are mainly focused on powerlifting and want to do the three big lifts. It is a bit more upmarket than the Ohio power bar and less expensive than the Rogue Ohio deadlift bar.
Overview and review of the Rogue Freedom bar
This overview of the Rogue freedom bar was originally published in my comprehensive guide on which Rogue barbell to buy. If you are currently considering to buy a Rogue barbell it is worth a read to get input on the latest models. I update the guide on a yearly basis depending on Rogue's new releases.
Price 395$
Overview of the Rogue Freedom bar
The
rogue freedom bar is a special version of the
Ohio bar which bears the American red white and blue. It weighs in at 20kg and has a diameter of 28.5mm. The sleeves are made of chrome and are connected via bushing to the shaft. The shaft coating is
cerakote
and the loadable sleeve length comes in at 16.40.
There is no
centre
knurl and it withstands 190K PSI tensile strength with a good whip. The knurling is less aggressive than with
powerlifting and weightlifting bars.
Pros of the rogue freedom bar
The
freedom bar is based on the workhorse
Ohio bar, one of the bars which
Rogue produces for the longest time. You can rest assured that
Rogue knows what they are doing when handling the shaft for this one. The
cerakote
finish is a new addition to the
Rogue portfolio which has been adapted from the weapons industry. This enables better protection against corrosion while providing nicer finishes.
The pricing is also moving closer to the
295$ mid-range Ohio bar, which makes this a good
bar for home gyms, small groups or as a replacement for one the retired barbells in your gym.
Cons of the rogue freedom bar
If you do not like the design, there is no point in getting this barbell. Especially for commercial uses, you have to consider whether a more neutral design might be the better choice for you. While Cerakote is great against corrosion it is less able to take a beating from plates and banging of other metals. The chrome sleeves will be fine, but take care to avoid banging of the shaft of other things.
Conclusion
If you want to show that you are proud to be American this is the bar for you. It builds on a solid base from years of experience from the Rogue Ohio bar and adds the necessary red, white and blue beautifully.